Why Potty Problems Are Now An Epidemic

There is a link between constipation and toileting problems, which is fast becoming a growing issue for many school-aged children and their parents. These difficulties have caused embarrassment and affected the confidence of so many kids, with their parents feeling helpless and not knowing what to do.

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So what's behind the the connection between constipation and toileting problems?

This Question Has Four Simple Answers

Children's toileting problems stem from holding their poop and pee but the root causes of this problem are the following:

Our Western lifestyle - low fiber(not enough fruits and veggies) and lack of exercise - play a huge role into why more and more children are experiencing toileting problems.

Both of these factors tend to cause kids to hold their pee and poop, which leads to toileting problems.

Kids are toilet training too early

Early potty trainees tend not to make the best decisions and tend to go only when they REALLY need to go, instead of using the restroom when they have the first urge to do so. These kids are simply too young to truly understand when it is appropriate to pee and poop and consequently, will tend to hold their waste, which leads to constipation.

Schools have restrictive bathroom policies, possibly scary toilets, and other factors contributing to this dilemma

Many daycare centers, preschools, and summer camps won't accept three-year old children who are still in diapers. This forces parents to train their children rather early, as opposed to when they're ready.

Also, kids might be too scared, grossed out, or embarrassed to poop or pee at school.

Moreover, preschoolers as well older children tend to be offered sugary beverages with lunches that do not routinely consist of fruits and vegetables.

Lastly, opportunities for exercise have diminished throughout schools across the country; according to Hodges and Schlosberg (2012), "only one-third of elementary children have daily P.E., and less than one-fifth have extracurricular physical activity programs at their schools."

How can holding pee and poop affect my child's health?

Holding urine, especially for a prolonged period of time, can lead to infections and or other huge problems that no parent would want his or her child to face. Holding fecal matter (poop) can eventually cause constipation as the longer the poop stays inside a person's system, the harder it gets; this will eventually clog a person's digestive system and lead to stomach pain, bloating, weight gain, as well as a growing rectum (please see above). Your rectum is what holds the poop just before it exits your system. The following diagram might help explain:

If the rectum becomes too big because it's trying its best to contain an ever-growing supply of poop, your bladder, because of its proximity to the rectum, could be squished. This pressure will likely cause leakage. This phenomenon isn't improving, unfortunately.

According to Hodges and Schlosberg (2012), "from 1992 to 2004 constipation diagnoses more than doubled at outpatient clinics and quadrupled at hospitals, with children fifteen and under registering the highest number of visits for chronic constipation, at almost the rate of seniors. John Hopkins Children's Center reported a 30 percent rise in the number of serious and chronic constipation cases in a short period in the late 2000s, prompting the center to open a clinic . . . dedicated to providing therapy for children with the condition."

Are You Interested In Your Child Having a Happy Bladder?

Great! Check out this helpful eBook that delves even further into this topic!

You get information on:

the pelvic floor muscles,

how the bladder works,

finding your bladder, and

nutrition suggestions that will help to reduce symptoms of incontinence!

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